How to Get Scratch the Dog in BG3: Best Boy Recruitment Guide

Where to Find Scratch

Scratch, the white dog who becomes the best camp companion in BG3, is found in Act 1’s wilderness area. From the Blighted Village waypoint, head east and then north along the path that leads toward the Risen Road. You will know you are in the right area when you see a dead body lying on the path with a white dog standing beside it, barking.

The exact location is near the junction between the forest, the river, and the path that leads up toward the Risen Road and Waukeen’s Rest. If you have already visited the Owlbear Cave, Scratch is very close to the cave entrance — just follow the path south along the river.

Scratch is initially hostile-adjacent: he barks at you and warns you away from his master’s body. Do not approach aggressively. Do not loot the body in front of him.

How to Recruit Scratch

There are two primary methods to recruit Scratch:

Method 1 — Speak with Animals (Recommended): Use the Speak with Animals spell, drink a Potion of Animal Speaking, or have a character with the ability active (Forest Gnomes get it as a racial trait, and certain classes like Druid and Wildheart Barbarian have easy access). Speak to Scratch. He will tell you his master, Gomwick, has died and he is waiting for him to wake up. You need to pass one of two checks:

• Animal Handling check (DC 10-15): Calm Scratch and explain that his master is gone. This is the easier route if you have Animal Handling proficiency.
• Persuasion/Intimidation: Convince Scratch to trust you.

Once you pass the check, Scratch will understand what has happened. He will initially leave but then ask if he can join your camp. Accept, and he will appear at your camp after your next long rest.

Method 2 — Non-Speak with Animals: If you cannot speak with animals, you can pass an Animal Handling check to calm him. The DC is higher (around 15) and you lose the dialogue nuance, but Scratch can still be recruited.

Important: Do NOT kill Scratch. He dies permanently and cannot be revived or recruited. Do NOT command him with “Dominate Beast” or similar spells, as this can lock you out of recruitment.

Scratch’s Ball and the Fetch Mechanic

Shortly after Scratch settles into your camp (usually within 1-2 long rests), he will bring you a ball. This initiates a cutscene where Scratch wants to play fetch. Throw the ball (you get it as a camp item) and Scratch retrieves it.

From this point on, the “Scratch’s Ball” item is available in your camp chest or inventory. You can use it to play fetch with Scratch in camp. More importantly, Scratch’s Ball also functions as a summoning item — it can summon Scratch to assist you in the open world. He is not a combat companion and has very low HP, but he can sniff out buried treasure, interact with certain environmental elements, and provide emotional support. If summoned Scratch dies in the overworld, the camp version of Scratch is unaffected.

Benefits of Recruiting Scratch

Scratch’s primary benefit is narrative and emotional — he is a source of wholesome camp interactions. He also has a mechanical benefit: if both Scratch and the Owlbear Cub are alive in your camp at the end of the game, they appear as summonable allies during the final battle sequence.

If you throw Scratch’s Ball during certain quest moments (like finding a buried chest or a hidden dig spot), Scratch may help uncover it with his keen nose. This is situational but occasionally useful.

Scratch Interactions and Approval

Scratch interacts with several companions in camp. Gale will pet him. Shadowheart has a soft spot for animals and scratches his ears. Astarion is predictably indifferent. Lae’zel has a surprisingly warm interaction where she shows respect for Scratch’s loyalty. These interactions are purely flavor and do not affect companion approval ratings.

Quick Tips

• Always have Speak with Animals prepared when exploring Act 1 — Scratch and the Owlbear Cub are both in the same area.
• Do not loot Gomwick’s body while Scratch is watching — wait until after recruitment or move out of Scratch’s line of sight.
• If you miss Scratch in Act 1, he will not appear later. He must be recruited before leaving for Act 2 (the Mountain Pass or Shadow-Cursed Lands).
• Throw the ball every few long rests — it is a harmless way to enjoy one of the game’s best camp features.
• Scratch cannot die once recruited to camp — he is safe.
• If you forget to loot Gomwick’s body, return after recruiting Scratch. His body contains a letter that provides backstory.